Biblical Inspiration: Psalm 139 v7-12

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—

but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.

Psalm 139 v7-12 New Living Translation

I’ve been going through a little bit of a tough time recently. At my bible study group, we have started to refer to these periods of negativity as ‘cave days’. After that feeling when all you want is to crawl into a cave that is dark and dank to match your mood. You know, that feeling when you want to be as far away from people as possible. On these days, the very last day I want to spend time with is God. The other Sundaywas just one such day and I had church to go to. Oh my days, did I not want to be there. Don’t even mention talking to other people.

At this point I’m probably sounding incredibly nasty and depressing. Could I even say unsociable? Yet somehow I found the ability to pick up the pew bible and flick through. I went to this particular psalm as the next few verses after this one have long been a favourite of mine. However, it was these five verses that really struck me. Why? Because you cannot escape God! If we cannot go to the bottom of the ocean or beyond the heavens to escape Him, I don’t think my dark, dank cave is going to be much help. Even on those days when the black dog of depression rears it head, that darkness is light to God.

So what is the point of this rather depressing post? So far, I have effectively explained how awful my life is. I’ve possibly even sounded a little annoyed at how hard it is to escape God. Here’s the point: if you cannot escape God, you can find Him. If He is going to find us regardless, then we may as well run to Him.

I know I will be next time, even if it’s to shout and scream at Him. He can take it.